School transport for pupils with special, educational needs and disabilities are covered by either taxis or minibus – if a decision is made to cancel the route due to bad weather, it is the taxi driver’s responsibility to inform the individual parent or carer.

Parents of children who travel by minibus will be informed by text message by the School transport team – messages will also be shared on local radio and updated on Plymouth City Council’s website.

A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said: “We would always advise parents or carers to contact us directly if they are unsure if their route is running.”

Plymstock School issued a newsletter to parents this week ahead of the expected snow fall.

It stated that they “do not expect to close” but if weather conditions deteriorate to the point where the school will need to close, they would contact parents.

Meanwhile, parents of students at Plymstock School will receive a message from the ConnectED app, email or text message, a message would also be posted on the main page of the school website or an announcement on local radio stations.

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Pomphlett Primary School pupil Sienna Clayton, 7, played in the snow for the first time yesterday (Image: Claire Clayton)

A newsletter issued by headteacher Rob Diment said: “It is highly likely that any decision, if needed, would be made early in the morning before the school day starts and we would attempt to let everyone know as soon as possible

“This is purely precautionary information for parents and I would like to reiterate that we expect to remain open throughout this period.”

Am I allowed to take a day off work if my child's school is shut?

Snow falling in Ivybridge tonight (Image: Kian Corrie)

If schools do start to shut across the city and you’re wondering where you stand as a parent who has no childcare, there is some advice to take.

Tony Hyams-Parish, partner at law firm DMH Stallard, said there is “no right to be paid” during time taken off due to bad weather.

He said: "Section 57A(e) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 allows employees to take a reasonable period of time off to deal with an unexpected incident which involves the employee's child while they are at school (or another educational establishment). School closure due to weather is likely to fall under these rules.

"As soon as reasonably practicable, the employee must tell the employer of the need to leave work and the reason for this. This should include sufficient information to enable the employer to determine whether the statutory right applies.

"They must also tell the employer how long they expect to be away from work (unless it is not reasonably practicable). The right is to take a "reasonable" amount of time off to take action which is "necessary", and this will always depend on the circumstances.